In the preamble of the expired contract it says, "the welfare of... the children of the Gateway School District (are) the paramount consideration of both the board and the (Gateway Teachers Union)". By saying the union leaders could instruct teachers to cease student services such as letters of recommendation we don't believe he understands what is most important here at Gateway... The Children. we would also ask that all teachers please continue to write letters of recommendation as a negotiation between adults should not hinder nor restrict a child from getting into a college or University.
The total average cost of a teacher at Gateway is $111,699. This includes the average salary of $78,300, the 16.93% that is paid into the teachers Pension fund, and benefits which include healthcare of which the teachers contributions are capped off at a mere $30/month for an individual and $65/month for a family plan.
40% of all of Gateway's students are receiving free or reduced lunch. 40%! One school is as high as 61%. We also have 40 students who attend Gateway who are homeless. It's not that we hate teachers or unions, it's that we care for each and every tax payer and stakeholder for whom you are suppose to serve and represent. Every additional dollar that we give to the teachers comes out of the tax payers pocket. And when 40% of the students are on free and reduced lunch the last thing their parents or guardians want is to have to worry that another tax increase is on the horizon.
We will already have to contribute an additional $1,267,947 into the teachers pension and healthcare next year before a raise is even considered. What exactly does that mean? It means if we don't have a contract and the teacher stay at status quo for next year, even with the teachers essentially taking a pay freeze it will still cost the district 1.26 million dollars. That is 1.26 million dollars that we cannot use to help bridge the achievement gap. That is 1.26 million dollars that we cannot purchase textbooks with. That is 1.26 million dollars that the district cannot put into the school buildings that are in desperate need of repair. So how does the district fund this additional 1.26 million dollars? We could cut programs that make Gateway great, but we don't want you to do that. We can raise taxes, however that is counterproductive and will only hurt our already struggling families. So our options are limited, but try your hardest to help cut fat in the budget where possible, and begin to explore additional revenue sources with the creation of the revenue generation committee. Now with all of that being said, we believe we have given all we can give and we must now make tough decisions so that our future children and grandchildren can attend a Gateway we are proud of.
Updates
March 28, 2014
The School Board is still refusing to address the massive compensation package while our students face critical funding shortages. Email your school board representative today to demand they prioritize the children over these extreme contract demands. Post this petition link on your Facebook page so our neighbors understand the true financial facts behind this negotiation.
March 28, 2014
The energy behind this movement is growing and the School Board is starting to take notice. Blast this link on your Facebook page and email your district representatives right now to keep the pressure high.
Reached 100 supporters
March 28, 2014
23 Comments
While the Gateway teachers are well paid, I believe that has given our community quality teachers. Many of the teachers give of there own time to support our students, lunch time, before school, after school etc. The teachers work hard to commnicate with familys using the computer system for homework. Pay is not the first thing that should be considered, when thinking about allowing a strike to occure. What about how that would affect our students! I think we have a good system going and we should think hard about how to maintain what we have.
While I can sympathize with teachers wanting a raise, the Gateway Teachers need to realize that the money well is going dry. Gateway used to graduate 1000 students. The tax base is shrinking and if taxes continue to go up the people that have the means to leave will leave.
Median income is down nearly $4,000 from 4 years ago. With declining test scores, a weak economy, and an increasing racial achievement gap, why should taxpayers give teachers a payraise? The money should be put into education--not higher teacher salaries. Teachers should, in fact, be required to contribute more to their health benefits; financial incentives should be offered for those who reside within the school district. As a graduate of Gateway HighSchool in 2011, I can say with certainty that there are only a handful of quality teachers at the high school. I will end my comments with a rhetorical question: if union advocates claim their focus is on the children, then why do theless money for inside the classroom?
I'm still floored by salaries $20.000 over mine with 3 months without students in class, plus low healthcare costs! Obviously there are some people, whether the union of the teacher's themselves, need a reality check! I still want to believe that teachers WANT to help children, but they are bound to the union ideals - I just don't know if that belief is founded anymore.
as a citizen of this municipality I barely make 30, 000 a year by raising my taxes again your going to force me to not be able to put food on my table or provide for my 3 children whom are residents with me.I forsee if the taxes going up residents are going to move out to areas with less taxes and monroeville will suffer in the end
Teachers concerns should be about what's best for the students and not their bank accounts
Teachers - take note of who is signing this petition.
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In the preamble of the expired contract it says, "the welfare of... the children of the Gateway School District (are) the paramount consideration of both the board and the (Gateway Teachers Union)". By saying the union leaders could instruct teachers to cease student services such as letters of recommendation we don't believe he understands what is most important here at Gateway... The Children. we would also ask that all teachers please continue to write letters of recommendation as a negotiation between adults should not hinder nor restrict a child from getting into a college or University.
The total average cost of a teacher at Gateway is $111,699. This includes the average salary of $78,300, the 16.93% that is paid into the teachers Pension fund, and benefits which include healthcare of which the teachers contributions are capped off at a mere $30/month for an individual and $65/month for a family plan.
40% of all of Gateway's students are receiving free or reduced lunch. 40%! One school is as high as 61%. We also have 40 students who attend Gateway who are homeless. It's not that we hate teachers or unions, it's that we care for each and every tax payer and stakeholder for whom you are suppose to serve and represent. Every additional dollar that we give to the teachers comes out of the tax payers pocket. And when 40% of the students are on free and reduced lunch the last thing their parents or guardians want is to have to worry that another tax increase is on the horizon.
We will already have to contribute an additional $1,267,947 into the teachers pension and healthcare next year before a raise is even considered. What exactly does that mean? It means if we don't have a contract and the teacher stay at status quo for next year, even with the teachers essentially taking a pay freeze it will still cost the district 1.26 million dollars. That is 1.26 million dollars that we cannot use to help bridge the achievement gap. That is 1.26 million dollars that we cannot purchase textbooks with. That is 1.26 million dollars that the district cannot put into the school buildings that are in desperate need of repair. So how does the district fund this additional 1.26 million dollars? We could cut programs that make Gateway great, but we don't want you to do that. We can raise taxes, however that is counterproductive and will only hurt our already struggling families. So our options are limited, but try your hardest to help cut fat in the budget where possible, and begin to explore additional revenue sources with the creation of the revenue generation committee. Now with all of that being said, we believe we have given all we can give and we must now make tough decisions so that our future children and grandchildren can attend a Gateway we are proud of.
Updates
March 28, 2014
The School Board is still refusing to address the massive compensation package while our students face critical funding shortages. Email your school board representative today to demand they prioritize the children over these extreme contract demands. Post this petition link on your Facebook page so our neighbors understand the true financial facts behind this negotiation.
March 28, 2014
The energy behind this movement is growing and the School Board is starting to take notice. Blast this link on your Facebook page and email your district representatives right now to keep the pressure high.
Reached 100 supporters
March 28, 2014
23 Comments
Gateway teachers are well paid more then other schools with the same amount of students or higher students. And these other schools have better scores in math and reading then gateway school district their student to teacher ratio is better then gateway. These facts can be found online all you have to do is look.
While the Gateway teachers are well paid, I believe that has given our community quality teachers. Many of the teachers give of there own time to support our students, lunch time, before school, after school etc. The teachers work hard to commnicate with familys using the computer system for homework. Pay is not the first thing that should be considered, when thinking about allowing a strike to occure. What about how that would affect our students! I think we have a good system going and we should think hard about how to maintain what we have.
While I can sympathize with teachers wanting a raise, the Gateway Teachers need to realize that the money well is going dry. Gateway used to graduate 1000 students. The tax base is shrinking and if taxes continue to go up the people that have the means to leave will leave.
Median income is down nearly $4,000 from 4 years ago. With declining test scores, a weak economy, and an increasing racial achievement gap, why should taxpayers give teachers a payraise? The money should be put into education--not higher teacher salaries. Teachers should, in fact, be required to contribute more to their health benefits; financial incentives should be offered for those who reside within the school district. As a graduate of Gateway HighSchool in 2011, I can say with certainty that there are only a handful of quality teachers at the high school. I will end my comments with a rhetorical question: if union advocates claim their focus is on the children, then why do theless money for inside the classroom?
I'm still floored by salaries $20.000 over mine with 3 months without students in class, plus low healthcare costs! Obviously there are some people, whether the union of the teacher's themselves, need a reality check! I still want to believe that teachers WANT to help children, but they are bound to the union ideals - I just don't know if that belief is founded anymore.
as a citizen of this municipality I barely make 30, 000 a year by raising my taxes again your going to force me to not be able to put food on my table or provide for my 3 children whom are residents with me.I forsee if the taxes going up residents are going to move out to areas with less taxes and monroeville will suffer in the end
Teachers concerns should be about what's best for the students and not their bank accounts
Teachers - take note of who is signing this petition.
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Gateway teachers are well paid more then other schools with the same amount of students or higher students. And these other schools have better scores in math and reading then gateway school district their student to teacher ratio is better then gateway. These facts can be found online all you have to do is look.